Page 37 of Spindrift

“Shit.”She jumped as she burned her hand on the grill. Pain seared, and the firstlayer of epidermis turned a perfect medium-rare.

“Morgan?”Lillian was at her side in an instant, grabbing Morgan’s hand to inspect thedamage. “Inside. Now.”

Shetowed Morgan behind her and shut the door, then turned the cold water on in thesink. At least the calluses on her palms had spared her from serious damage. Shetried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of Lillian’s grip.

“It’sjust a burn.”

“Yourhands are your livelihood, moron. Shut up and do as I say.”

Thecold water soothed the worst of the sting. She had placed her palm on thegrate, and red lines rose across it where her skin had come in direct contactwith the scorching metal.

“Whatwere you thinking?”

“Iwasn’t, clearly.”

“I’vegot some burn cream upstairs. You’re normally the one I can trust not to hurtyourself, you know.”

“Sorry,Mrs. Lee.”

“Donot call me that, or you will wish a burn was your biggest problem. I am not eitherof my mothers.”

Morganraised her unburnt hand in surrender.

“Ilike Emilia, by the way,” Lillian continued. If she’d made the logical leap betweenMorgan’s uncharacteristic distractedness and Emilia’s presence, she wasmerciful enough not to point it out.

“It’sbeen nice having a friend at the dock.”

“Youdon’t need a new friend.”

Morganfocused on the feel of cold water on her burnt skin. “But she does.”

“Notif the way she looks at you means anything.”

“Lil,please. She’s got a lot going on right now, and I don’t think she’s going tostick around for long. I can’t do that.”

Lillianslumped. “I know you can’t. I’ll tell Stevie to lay off you. It’s just niceseeing you happier.”

“Trustme,” Morgan said, grimacing as she examined her hand. “I know. That’s why Iknow I can’t do it.”

Happinesslied. It hid things, painting the world with a brightness that concealed thecracks in the foundation. Inherfoundation.

“Noteven a fling? Maybe something with an expiration date would be good for you.”

“Didn’tyou try that with Monique?”

Lillianwinced. “I forgot about that.”

“Andyou haven’t dated women since.”

“That’sa little different. I’m bi. You’re the biggest homo I know.”

“Justdon’t push me on this one, okay?” She hated the vulnerability in her voice.Hated the naked need beneath the words.

“Jesus.If you’re like this after only knowing her a week or so . . .” Lillian shookher head. “I do like her, though.”

“Whichis why we’ll all be friends until she goes back to Boston.”

“Andif she doesn’t?”

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